Messages - LawOwl

We definitely need to do away with the US News & World Report rankings. Even if new ones pop up, so be it. But the current rankings have way too much influence over our profession. It's ridiculous actually.

Something like Above The Law rankings may suffice. I think these rankings really need to be entirely based on employment outcomes and debt to income ratio over ten years. At the end of the day, you're going to law school to get a job and for the most part, you really chart the course of your career after your first lawyer job.

Interesting. I think regional schools don't get enough credit for local students. The legal community as a whole is blinded by the USN rankings to an extent. Good to see someone fro the top "ranked" school to offer a real world view on the subject

1) Nova is $50k cheaper and I've made some very solid connections with Nova grads in the area and even found myself a mentor that is a Nova grad.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: connections are everything in this profession.

If you already have a strong base of connections for what you are trying to accomplish in the Nova area market, then Nova is the logical choice. This isn't to say that you can't establish connections that are just as strong in the Tallahassee market if you went to FSU, but your current connections are worth their weight in gold.

You have to ask yourself what you'd rather do. If the end goal is to work in Tallahassee in a state agency then FSU is where you need to be because it will allow you to establish those network connections. If that's not the end goal then Nova sounds like where you need to be.

Update: FSU refused to offer scholarship money and Nova declined a request to increase my award. I still feel like I will be getting a quality education at a steep discount (around $70k for three years of study combined) so I will be sticking with Nova.

Could not agree more and it is unfortunate that TLS, JDunderground and other sites are what many 0L's believe to be the truth.

At the end of the day if any 0L reads the post remember, "those who know the least know it the loudest." TLS is a perfect example of that.

This. TLS is so terrible for prospective student advice. This board seems to be made up of experienced individuals who are in the field as opposed to sad bros that just didn't make it or hate the practice of law. I've been on and off here on LSD but everytime I've needed advice, the posters here responded in a rational and considerate manner. Much more insightful than the typical "retake the LSAT" rhetoric found on TLS

Growing up, I wanted be an NFL quarterback. It wasn't until I took an entertainment law class in high school at the ripe age of 16 (and a realization that I don't have the size or talent to be the next Brett Favre) that I decided being an attorney was my true calling. I know some people stumble into law school without knowing why or even without seeing the inside of a courtroom prior to starting but I know this is what I want for myself.

Thank you both so much for the informative responses. I believe I am prepared to stay home and attend Nova. The cost works out in my favor and I love South Florida. My family is going to be a great support system as well. Thanks again.